Job Type: Full-Time, Permanent
Location: Loughton, Essex
Salary: £35, £42,000.00 per annum, depending on qualifications and experience (40 Hours a week)
Hours of work: 40 hours a week (including weekends, bank holidays and public holidays)
Benefits: Pension scheme, 28 days annual leave, in-house and external training
At Aspire Homes for Children, we are committed to making a real difference in the lives of children with emotional and behavioural difficulties (EBD), mild learning disabilities, and mental health needs.
Through a dedicated and trauma-informed team, we provide high-quality, therapeutic residential care in a nurturing and structured environment.
No matter your role, everything we do is driven by our unwavering commitment to the child we support. Our aim is to help them stabilise, heal, and grow — socially, emotionally, and psychologically — so they can build brighter futures and positive relationships within their community.
We are looking for an exceptional individual to join our Management team as the Deputy Manager of our new solo home in Loughton, Essex. This is a complex and challenging environment, so we need determined, resilient people to support our staff in providing unconditional care and commitment to our children. This is a unique opportunity to play a pivotal role in being part of the growth and development of a brand-new Children's Home. Are you Deputy Manager looking for a new challenge or a Senior Shift Leader with aspirations to progress? We have a fantastic opportunity for you to join us as we start our journey.
As the Deputy Manager of our new Residential Children's Home, you will play a crucial role in supporting the Registered Manager in efficiently co-managing the home. This is a physically and mentally demanding role that will both challenge and reward you.
Applicants should have:
* A genuine commitment to engaging with children who have challenging behaviour and complex history.
* The ability to create positive relationships with the children, meeting their needs and safeguarding them at all times.
* An understanding of Safeguarding legislation and Children's homes regulations 2015
* The ability to support the management of a diverse staff team, role modelling and developing them to reach their potential
* An understanding of GDPR Regulations 2018
* An interest in supporting the development of the organisation and engaging others in working collaboratively
* Ability to build and maintain professional relationships with parents, carers and professionals
* Commitment to engaging in continuing professional development
* Ability to react calmly in stressful situations under your own initiative and whilst supporting and directing the team.
* Self-motivated with the ability to manage a busy workload with oversight from a Registered Manager
* Empathy and understanding, ensuring the children's views and wishes are heard and communicated
* The ability to be a good role model
* High personal and professional standards.
* Flexibility when needed to cover unsocial hours, shifts at short notice, and participate in on call rota
* Excellent verbal and written communication skills
* A willingness to arrange and engage in Social Activities and holidays, our children ask for adults who can have 'fun'
We are looking for someone with:
* NVQ Level 3 in Children and Young People Workforce (Essential)
* Experience of working in a supervisory capacity.
* Experience and knowledge of working with young people that have social, emotional and/or behavioural difficulties, learning disability, complex needs and autism.
* Up to date and in-depth knowledge of Children's homes regulations 2015
* Ability to work with online recording systems and good IT skills
* Full, clean UK Driving Licence (Preferred)
Key Roles and responsibilities:
* To act as Deputy to the Designated Safeguarding Lead and be responsible for the effective Safeguarding of the young people within your care in the absence of the Registered Manager ensuring concerns are addressed and managed according to legislation, policies and procedures, raising concerns with the Responsible Individual and Directors in a timely manner
* To keep up to date with changes to safeguarding legislation
* To develop relationships with Schools, Local Authorities, Ofsted and LADO as directed by the Registered Manager
* To ensure quality childcare provision across the home in line with the child's needs.
* Ensure compliance with the Statement of Purpose and function of the home, updating organisational documents as directed by the Registered Manager.
* To promptly address recommendations or requirements for service improvement following any OFSTED inspection.
* To lead key working and at the direction of the Registered Manager, implement additional support where needed to gain the best outcomes for the children, including ensuring their health and support needs are met
* To support with planning of staff training according to the needs of the children within the home, keeping an up-to-date matrix of completed training and ensuring training remains in date.
* To complete own required training within specified timeframes and maintain an up-to-date training record
* To maintain confidentiality in line with General Data Protection Regulations 2018
* To be actively involved in the recruitment of staff in line with Safer Recruitment procedures, and to ensure they receive appropriate induction, supervision, and appraisal
* To be a good role model and work cohesively and in partnership with team members and other professionals to provide comprehensive care and support.
* To provide effective leadership to direct and support the staff team in delivering person-centred childcare aimed at achieving the best outcomes for each young person.
* To complete on call duties as directed by the management team.
* To ensure policies and procedures remain the focus of the informed approach when supporting children including in relation to safeguarding
* To ensure staff have the opportunity to reflect and de brief following situations that are difficult and stressful
* To liaise with parents, carers, and professionals in relation to children and their statutory meetings, if delegated by the registered Manager.
* To develop staff to progress within the organisation to ensure continued professional development
* To support the Registered Manager to ensure statutory timescales are met
* To monitor the standards of the home, ensuring it is safe, clean and meets the needs of the children
* To ensure the children receive appropriate support in their education and are encouraged to enjoy hobbies and interests outside of the home.
* To deputise when needed in regular team meetings with the staff team to ensure continuity of care for the children
* To be available to the children when needed to support them with worries and celebrate successes
* To complete and publish rotas for staff with the direction of the Registered Manager
* To ensure the home is adequately staffed at all times, supporting where needed to ensure children are adequately safeguarded (This may require additional sleep ins and shift duties)
* To ensure records are maintained in line with statutory requirement and organisational policies and procedures.
* To deputise in the management of health and safety, fire and risk management within the home
* To oversee records and reports, feeding back to staff on their content
* To complete other duties as requested by the Registered Manager, Responsible Individual or Directors
Benefits include:
* Entitlement to 28 days annual leave (inclusive of bank holidays).
* Progressive pay scale.
* Referral programme
* Employee Assistance Programme
* Paid Training, including additional training to support progression
* Enrolment into the NEST Pension scheme
* Staff incentives, achievement awards
Working hours may include evenings, weekends, and bank holidays.
All candidates will be subject to Safer Recruitment and DBS checks.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: £35,000.00-£42,000.00 per year
Benefits:
* Company pension
* On-site parking
* Sick pay
Work Location: In person